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Obama Campaign Tweets 'Vote' As Obama and Christie Trade Compliments
October 31, 2012
President Barack Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie visit the Brigantine Beach Community Center to meet with local residents, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, in Brigantine, NJ. Obama traveled to Atlantic Coast to see first-hand the relief efforts after Superstorm Sandy damage the Atlantic Coast. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
(CNSNews.com) - As President Obama was still in New Jersey -- about to step up to the microphones with Republican Gov. Chris Christie following their storm-damage tour -- his campaign sent out the following tweet from "@Barack Obama".
"This election could come down to just a few thousand votes. Sign up today to help get out the vote:" The tweet links to the Obama campaign website, which urges visitors to "Make calls to bring about change in your community and across the country."
Obama's tour of storm-devastated New Jersey -- with a Republican governor who is a Mitt Romney surrogate, and who was the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention -- has raised eyebrows in both parties.
"Our challenge now is to get back to normalcy," Christie said at a joint news conference with the president around 4:40 p.m.
"I'm pleased to report that he has sprung into action immediately," Christie said of the president, calling theirs a "great working relationship." Christie said he watched the president make the necessary telephone calls as they drove in the car together.
"I cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern and compassion," Christie said.
Obama, murmuring "good job" as Christie turned over the microphone, returned the compliments.
"The first thing I want to do is thank everyone who's been involved" in the rescue effort, Obama said. "At the top of my list, I have to say that Gov. Christie throughout this process has been responsive. He's been aggressive in making sure that the state got out in front of this incredible storm, and I think the people of New Jersey recognize that he has put his heart and soul into making sure the people of New Jersey bounce back even stronger than before.
"So, I just want to thank him for his extraordinary leadership and partnership."
(Note: Obama also repeated the "We don't leave anybody behind" comment he made Tuesday at the American Red Cross.)
Reporters on Wednesday asked White House Press Secretary Jay Carney what the president hoped to get out of his visit to New Jersey.
"New Jersey was, by many measures, the hardest hit state -- I believe that's correct -- and it is entirely appropriate for the president to visit New Jersey and receive updates on the efforts there to recover and to view firsthand the damage inflicted by Sandy," Carney said. "This is not a time for politics. And the President appreciates the efforts of governors, state and local officials, across the various states that were affected by the storm, regardless of political party.
Carney said it was the White House that "reached out" to New Jersey and "worked with the Governor’s office to make this trip happen."
